I Will Freely Sacrifice

 Temple Baptist Church 8-14-2022

Psalm 54

 

Introduction:

 

A.  Verses 1-2.  Once again, we find God’s man crying out to God.  We need not to think that the prayers of David are redundant.  His prayers were a part of his walk with God!  We are command in the New Testament to “pray without ceasing.”

 

B.  Verse 3.  David identified his enemies and his needs to the Lord in expectancy.  They are “strangers.”  They do not identify with the God of Israel.  Not only are they Godless, but they are also ungodly.

 

C.  Verse 4-5.  David states his confidence in God to take care of both the ungodly and change his circumstances by placing him back on the throne where he belonged.

 

Verse 4 – God will protect David.

 

Verse 5 – God will reward the ungodly.

 

Proverbs 3:5-6  Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  (6)  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

 

D.  It is his statement in the toward the end of the Psalm that I want to look at tonight.  “I will freely sacrifice unto thee.”  I want to break this portion down so as to understand what this sacrifice is:

 

a.  Sacrifice biblically defined: 2 Samuel 24:24  And the king said unto Araunah, Nay; but I will surely buy it of thee at a price: neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the LORD my God of that which doth cost me nothing. So David bought the threshingfloor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver.

 

b.  Sacrifice contextually defined:

 

1.  Sacrifice is personal – “I”

 

2.  Sacrifice is freewill – “will”

 

3.  Sacrifice is expensive – “sacrifice”

 

4.  Sacrifice is private – “unto”

 

5.  Sacrifice is pointed – “thee”

 

E.  David’s sacrifice unto the LORD in this instance was his praise of his God.  “I will praise thy name, O LORD; for it is good.”  It is a good thing to give thanks and praise to the Lord: The Goodness of God demands our sacrifice.

 

1.  A Sacrifice of Holiness - cost you the world.

 

Psalm 4:5  Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the LORD.

 

2.  Sacrifice of Joy - cost you your self-pity

 

Psalm 27:6  And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD.

 

3.  Sacrifice of Repentance - cost you your sin.

 

Psalm 51:17  The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise

 

4.  Sacrifice of Thanksgiving - cost you your self-worth.

 

Psalm 107:22  And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing.

 

5.  Sacrifice of Prayer - cost you your will.

 

Psalm 141:2  Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.

 

6.  Sacrifice of Praise - cost you your pride.

 

Hebrews 13:15  By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.

 

7.  Sacrifice of your Body - cost you your popularity with the world.

 

Romans 12:1  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

 

8.  Sacrifice of Love - cost you your anger and bitterness.

 

Ephesians 5:2  And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.

 

9.  Sacrifice of Service - cost you your life.

 

Philippians 2:17  Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all.

 

10.  Sacrifice of Giving - cost you your possessions.

 

Philippians 4:18  But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.

 

11.  Sacrifice of the Blood - cost you nothing.

 

Hebrews 11:4  By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.

A More Excellent Sacrifice

Temple Baptist Church - 12-11-2019

Hebrews 11:4

Introduction:

A.  Last week, we looked at Abel’s Last Sermon.  Though no words were spoken by Abel, his message was clear!  He offered a more excellent sacrifice than Cain and his offering did several things.

1.  It established Abel’s righteousness.

2.  It condemned Cain eternally.

3.  It cost Abel his life temporally.

B.  God, from the beginning of man’s sinful condition, COMMANDED that death be the “wages of sin” and blood be the price of redemption.  These two things have never changed. 

C.  Abel, in obedience to God’s command, brought a sacrificial lamb to God and was accepted by which he was declared righteous. 

Matthew 23:35  That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar.

D. Concerning the shedding of blood for both atonement and salvation, God established two covenants. 

Hebrews 12:24  And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.  (This verse contrasts the “new covenant” with “that of Abel” or the “old covenant.”)

E.  In Hebrews 11:4, the Bible says, "Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain."  (Both Cain and Abel offered sacrifices, but Abel offered a “more excellent sacrifice.”  He offered what God commanded and demanded.)

1.  This sacrifice was made "by faith."

2.  This faith rested in God as the great Redeemer.

3.  This offering was by the divine institution.

4.  This offering was offered from the days of Adam downward.

F.  I have heard false statements over the years that demean the blood of Christ.  We must find our answers in the Bible, not in the thinking and teaching of fallible man.  Man’s theology is like the shifting sands of the Sahara Desert, ever changing and never coming to the knowledge of the Truth.

G.  I am not here to give an opinion concerning the blood of Christ because His blood lies outside of the bounds of both natural science and human reason.  If you try to make the conception, birth, body, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ fall into the realm of nature, you will make terrible theological mistakes. 

1.  His conception and birth was not like our conception and birth.  He was Holy Ghost conceived and virgin born. 

Matthew 1:18  Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.

2.  His body was not like our body.  He lived in a prepared body without Adamic sin or a sin nature. 

Hebrews 10:5  Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me:

3.  His life was not like our life.  He was the sinlessly perfect Son of God.

2 Corinthians 5:21  For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

4.  His death was not like our death.  We have no power over death, but Christ dismissed spirit and gave up the ghost. 

Luke 23:46  And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.

5.  His burial and resurrection was not like our burial and resurrection.  He saw no corruption and His resurrection was bodily whereas our initial one is spiritual with the body to follow. 

Acts 2:31  He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.

H.  The blood of Christ was not like our sinful Adamic blood. It was the blood of God. 

Acts 20:28  Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

I.  Abel’s sacrifice typified the shedding of the blood of Christ for the redemption of man.

1.  The Blood Of Christ Was Sacred Blood.  Acts 20:28  Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

While Christ's blood was physical blood, real blood and genuine blood, it was uniquely different from all other blood in human history; without the defilement of the curse of sin, death or disease in its composition.  No one can explain Christ's Virgin Birth! It was a divine miracle. The transmission of Christ's blood to his body cannot be adequately explained via any medical process. The miraculous work of the Holy Spirit (Matt. 1:22-23) is the only answer.  Christ's blood was perfect, priceless and pure! His blood was declared to be the blood of God. 

2.  The Blood Of Christ Was Sinless Blood.  1 Peter 1:18-19  Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;  (19)  But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

As our Lord Jesus Christ was the sinless Son of God, the sinless blood of God flowed through his physical veins.  Judas Iscariot did not fully realize the implications of his statement, “I have betrayed the innocent blood.”  (Matthew 27:4)  His blood was not tainted by the blood of fallen Adam.  Since His blood had no adamic sin, His blood could neither coagulate nor die.  Once the flow of His blood began, it would not be stanched. 

3.  The Blood Of Christ Was Substitutionary Blood.  Isaiah 53:5-6  But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.  (6)  All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

The blood of Christ was offered in our stead.  Since our redemption required a perfect sacrifice, a perfect Saviour (Hebrews 4:15) took the place of sinful man (Romans 5:8). 

4.  The Blood Of Christ Was Sacrificial.  John 3:16  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

It cost God the Father the death of His only begotten Son!  Our sin, placed upon Christ at Calvary, separated God the Father from God the Son.  How precious is the thought that God the Father would separate from His darling Son in order that we might never be separated from Him (John 10:28).  The most expensive gift ever bought and given is that of our Lord Jesus Christ!

5.  The Blood Of Christ Was Sufficient Blood.  Romans 3:24-25  Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:  (25)  Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;

The word “propitiation,” found in 1 John 2:2, means appeasement.  It means satisfaction as the sole and complete payment for the sin that separates man from God.  At Calvary, righteousness and peace truly kissed each other (Psalms 88:10).  Many songs have been written concerning our salvation and one such said, “Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe; Sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow.”

6.  The Blood Of Christ Is Shielding Blood.  Revelation 12:10-11  And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.  (11)  And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

The blood of Christ is our “safeguard!”  “When He sees me, He sees the blood of the Lamb.  He sees me as worthy and not as I am!”  When the old Accuser slanders me in the presence of God, it is the blood of Christ that He sees.  There is eternal victory through the shed blood of Christ!  It shields us from Satan’s accusatory attacks.  We are victorious and Satan is a defeated foe!

7.  The Blood Of Christ Is Often Slighted Blood.  Hebrews 10:29  Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?

Those who reject the blood of Christ are guilty of slighting it.  To count it as an “unholy thing” is beyond my comprehension.  Not only does the unsaved slight the blood of Christ, the sinful saint does the same.  That precious blood was shed for our sin and God forbid that we continue in it.  Before we sin, we should consider the immeasurable price paid.  We would never buy a shiny new car and then walk around “keying” it.  We protect it because of its value.  The blood of Christ is far more valuable than the most expensive automobile.

The Application Of The Blood

1.  The Place - Leviticus 17:11  For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.

2.  The Priest - Hebrews 9:11-12  But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;  (12)  Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.

3.  The Preparation - John 14:2-3  In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.  (3)  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.  (The preparation was the presentation of the blood.)

Hebrews 9:7  But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people:

4.  The People - Exodus 12:7  And they shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the houses, wherein they shall eat it.

Exodus 12:13  And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt.

The Impact Of The Blood:

1.  The Blood Of Christ Brought Redemption.  Ephesians 1:7  In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

Redeemed – To be bought back.  The freedom of a former slave purchased off the slave block.  The believer has been bought off the slave block of Satan.  Purchased and “made free” by the blood of Christ.  Loosed and set at liberty: free praise the Lord, free at last!

2.  The Blood Of Christ Brought Righteousness.  Romans 3:25  Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;

The believer is judiciously declared righteous solely upon the merit of the blood of Christ.  He is justified—just as if I had never sinned!  Dressed in His righteousness alone, faultless to stand before the throne!  (Jude 24)  “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”  (2 Corinthians 5:21)  Made Him what He was not that we might be made what we are not!

3.  The Blood Of Christ Brought Remission.  Hebrews 9:22  And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.

The complete, eternal purging of all sin!  Once for ever is our purchase in Christ Jesus.  “Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;”  (Hebrews 1:3)  Our slate has been wiped clear, never to be remembered again.

4.  The Blood Of Christ Brought Reconciliation.  1 Corinthians 1:30  But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:

Man’s relationship with God was severed by sin in the Garden of Eden.  The Lord made an immediate effort to reconcile Adam and Eve.  The Lord went to them when they would not come to Him.  They chose to hide while He chose to reconcile.  “ And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.”  (Colossians 1:20)  By faith, regeneration , and adoption—man is back in fellowship with God.

5.  The Blood Of Christ Brought Reception.  Ephesians 1:6  To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

The believer is not only forgiven, he or she belongs!  Welcomed into the greatest family on the face of the earth.  The Body of Christ.  “By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”  ( Romans 5:2)

6.  The Blood Of Christ Brought Rejoicing.  Romans 5:10-11  For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.  (11)  And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.

Oh what joy the cross of Christ brings to the believer!  Though nothing, we have been made nigh by the blood of Christ.  Our life is saved, our soul is saved, eternity is secured, and joy floods our souls!

7.  The Blood Of Christ Brought Responsibility.  Matthew 27:25 - Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children.  (It is both foolish and fatal to reject the precious blood of Christ.  That blood that brings about eternal life also brings about eternal damnation.)

The Cross of Christ

Temple Baptist Church - 3-8-2015

Isaiah 53:1-12

 

 

Introduction: 

 

A.  Isaiah, chapters 52-53, give us both a visual image and spiritual revelation of what took place at Calvary.  The Messiah, Jesus Christ, reject by His own and offered for the sins of the world.  These verses are fulfilled in John 3:16.  The Book of Hebrews gives another vivid description of the New Testament Altar of sacrifice which is a fulfillment of the Old Testament type.

 

Hebrews 13:10-15  We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle.  (11)  For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp.  (12)  Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate.  (13)  Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.  (14)  For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.  (15)  By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.

 

1.  Calvary is a place of Sacrifice - 10-12

 

2.  Calvary is a place of Separation – 12

 

3.  Calvary is a place of Identification - 13-14

 

4.  Calvary is a place of Worship – 15

 

B.  Calvary is the place where God sacrificed His only Son for Sinners -  The Roman soldier stood at the cross and said, “Truly, this man was the Son of God!” – (Mark 15:33-39}

 

C.  It was at the cross of Calvary that we find the fulfillment of Genesis 22:8, “And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together.”  The new version add the word “for” to precede “himself” but that changes the verse.  “For himself” indicates that God needs a lamb for Himself.  The verse is say that God will provide “HIMSELF” a lamb.  Jesus Christ is the “lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world!

 

D.  There are many things that were manifested at Calvary and I will deal with just a few this morning.

 

1.  The Cross Manifested The Holiness Of God - 1 Timothy 6:16  Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.

 

a.  God’s Holiness Separated Him From Sinful Man  

                       

b.  God’s Holiness Demanded Sacrifice And Full Payment For Sin

                       

c.  God’s Holiness Demanded A Perfect Sacrifice For Sin  

 

2.  The Cross Manifested The Sinfulness Of Man And God’s Love For Sinners - Romans 6:23  For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

 

 

 

a.  God’s Hatred For Sin  

 

b.  God’s Love For Sinners

 

3.  The Cross Manifested The Remedy Of God - 2 Corinthians 5:18-19  And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;  (19)  To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

 

a.  The Willingness Of God To Send His Only Begotten Son

 

b.  The Willingness Of Jesus Christ To Suffer For Our Sin

 

4.  The Cross Manifested The Way Of Salvation - 1 Corinthians 1:18  For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

 

a.  The Purpose Of Our Preaching

 

b.  The Power Of Our Preaching

 

c.  The Prerogative Of Our Preaching  (Some believe and some do not!)

Abel’s Last Sermon

Temple Baptist Church - 2-3-2013
Hebrews 11:4

Introduction: Hebrews 11 is often called “The Hall of Fame of Faith.”

A. Faith is Defined – vs. 1 It is not a “blind faith” but a compelling faith that has substance and gives hope. Faith is the evidence of things not seen. Faith has been the agent of salvation from Genesis 3 until the present.

B. Faith is Declared – vs. 2-40 I want to look at the faith of Abel found in verse 4: "he being dead YET speaketh!" the legacy of the first man to ever descend into the grave. What legacy will you and I leave behind? The first man to enter into eternity died in faith, thus fulfilling God's will for all mankind: and is now eternally with The Lord.

C. I want to go back to Genesis chapters 2-4 and look at this man named Abel and the faith that brought him salvation and immortality in Hebrews 11’s “Hall of Faith.” After faith is defined, the first mention of such faith exercised is found concerning man's salvation. You cannot please God in any way until you come to Him by faith for salvation!

D. Genesis means beginnings and is called the "SEEDBED OF THE BIBLE." Genesis chapters 2-3 makes no mention of faith, saving or otherwise, but God set forth several principles in Genesis 2-3 that need to be mentioned.

1. The principle of obedience. (2:16-17) God commanded Adam to abstain from eating from one certain tree: the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. God gave Adam and Eve the “run of the garden” concerning what they could do which speaks of the liberty that we have in this world. There is so much to be enjoyed without tasting the “forbidden fruit” of our world. God is good to us in so many ways. God commands obedience for our good.

2. The principle of disobedience and its consequences. (2:17) God plainly warned Adam and Eve through Adam that the consequence of disobedience was death. That death was two-fold: spiritual death, which was immediate, and eventually physical death. The wages of sin were set forth in these chapters and have never changed.

3. The principle of man’s inability to cover his sinfulness. (3:7) Immediately after sin, something changed. Was it a covering of the glorious light of God or was it as simple as innocence lost? They KNEW that they were naked and were ashamed. They immediately tried ti cover their shame with handmade garments. The aprons of fig leaves may have looked good to them but, when God came on the scene, they hid because their nakedness was still apparent. Nothing can be done, humanly speaking, to cover the sinfulness of man.

4. The principle of initiation in salvation by God. (3:8-9) Man hid from God but God came to him! A seeking Savior had compassion on a willfully disobedience people. He let Adam know where Adam was with a simple question. "Where art thou?" Man will never be saved until he or she recognizes where they are spiritually with God.

5. The principle of sacrifice. (3:21) God slew an animal and, in doing so, did two things:

a) The blood of innocence was shed. That which knew no sin became sin for them: a beautiful type of Christ dying for sinners and bringing forth righteousness.

b) God made coats (not aprons) to cover the nakedness of man. They, like the people of our day, tried to cover the "necessities" but remained naked! This coat was a complete covering or atonement.

6. The principle of the coming of Messiah. (3:15) Though Adam and Eve did not know the word “Messiah,” they understood the principle of the Seed of woman. The serpent would bruise the heel (to wound) and the Seed would bruise the head (a death blow).

7. The principle of punishment. (3:14-19, 23-24)

a) Satan: To eat the dust of the earth. The only curse not removed in the Millennium.

b) Eve: The pain of child bearing and submission to the authority of Adam. Eve had “side stepped” the authority of Adam when beguiled by the serpent.

c) Adam: The curse of man’s hard labor, earning his bread by the sweat of his brow.

d) Mankind: The removal from the utopia that God had provided for Adam and Eve to live in along with the pain and sorrow of life along with an eventual “trip to the cemetery.”

E. Hebrews 11:4 says, “By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.”

1. Abel’s Sacrifice – “more excellent sacrifice than Cain”

2. Abel’s Salvation – “he was righteous”

3. Abel’s Suffering – “he being dead”

4. Abel’s Sermon – “yet speaketh” (A man once said, "It is so that every great man speaks to men. Being dead, they live; buried, they rise again; and they speak with more power after death than during life.")

F. Let us look back to the First Mention of “Offering” found in the Bible. Genesis 4:1-13 In chapter 4 of Genesis, we find the birth of two sons: Cain, the firstborn who was a “tiller of the ground” or farmer, and Abel, the second born who was a “keeper of the sheep” or a herdsman. In verse begins with “And in the process of time.” Not the “passing of time” but the “process of time.” Passing of time simply means that time is moving on, but “process” gives a different meaning. Not just the advancement of time but a development within the advancement of a time period. We often use the phrase “a work in progress” or a “process.”

1. At this point, we need to be able to read between the lines or should I say between the chapters. God slew an animal in Genesis 3 but gave no such command to Adam and Eve. God pronounces judgment and drives them from the Garden of Eden. Chapter 4 begins with “and” which speaks of continuation.

2. Now, we need to make a natural assumption that is based upon biblical fact: between the last verse of chapter 3 and chapter 4:3, God had to teach Adam and Even about sacrifice, salvation, and worship.

a) The animal killed in the Garden of Eden provided coats for their natural nakedness, not their spiritual nakedness. It is certainly a type complete righteousness but, according to the New Testament, only blood was sufficient for atonement for and remission of sin. In chapter 4, when Abel offered his sacrifice, there was neither mention nor need for coats of skin.

b) God certainly did not leave them to their own “devices” in the matter of atonement and salvation and there was no one else to teach them. Since chapter 3 made no mention of such sacrifices being made by Adam and Eve and chapter 4 showing the sacrifice, we understand that God had given to them a command to offer and worship along with the promise of the seed of the woman.

c) We must also make the assumption that Adam and Eve taught their children how to be saved and biblically worship. Other than the initial sin of eating the forbidden fruit, I find no flaws in the first couple or their childrearing.

d) We must also assume that they taught their children both the right way. Unlike today, there was only ONE way of salvation: faith in the coming of Messiah through the atonement of sacrifice. They looked forward to Calvary by faith as we look back to Calvary by faith.

3. Cain and Abel are now grown men, not children.

a) They had spent their childhood years in the home of Adam and Eve and under their instruction and care. I have no doubt that Adam and Eve were good parents because we find in the two sons were taught to work for a living.

b) Both farming and herding were hard, time consuming jobs. Because of their offering to God or worship, I have no doubt that Adam and Eve taught these two sons spiritual truth with Abel worshipping in a right manner and Cain in a wrong manner.

4. Somewhere in this “process of time,” Cain—as he became a man—began to change his spiritual or theological thinking. Jude 11 speaks of the way of Cain and pronounces a woe upon those who follow it.

a) In these verses, we find two kinds of worship in the sons: worship in truth and worship in error, or will worship. To the child of God, worship has a two-fold end: to glorify God and to enjoy God. Religion is much different in that it exalts man while soothing the conscience.

b) Romans 10 says, “For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.” Cain Worship is self-righeousness.

5. These two kinds of worship set up two very different genealogies:

a) The lineage of Cain, found in the end of chapter 4, established “Cain Worship” and is the ungodly line found in Genesis 6.

b) The line of Seth, which followed Adam and Eve, established the Messianic Line from which Christ cane. This godly lineage is found in chapter 5 and defined as the “sons of God” in chapter 6.

c) In these chapters, we find the setting aside of the firstborn who, in a normal sense, would become the patriarch of the family who was to lead spiritually as well as in everyday matters of living. We find this in the lives of Jacob and Esau, Ephraim and Manasseh, etc. Spirituality and salvation has nothing to do with birth order; it has to do with faith exercised.

d) In chapter 6 and following, we find the judgment of God upon a world of sin.

G. What was the message of Abel’s sacrifice that “yet speaketh?”

1. It Was A Message of Salvation – vs. 1-4 (Salvation never changes throughout the Bible.)

a. Abel Was Not Saved Through His Heritage (Both Cain and Abel had the same parents)

b. Abel Was Not Saved Through His Occupation (Both Cain and Abel had commendable occupations)

c. Abel Was Not Saved Through Religious Rite (Both Cain and Abel brought a sacrifice)

d. Abel Was Saved Through His Offering (Cain brought the fruit of his works – Abel the blood required by God)

1) God had respect unto the blood - Exodus 12:13 And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt.

2) God had not respect unto the works - Ephesians 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

2 Timothy 1:9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,

2. It Was A Message of Sacrifice – vs. 4 (Abel was a “keeper of sheep” and those little lambs were precious in his sight.)

a. He Brought The Firstling of His Lambs.

1) Shows His Affection For God. He loved God more than his sheep.

1 John 5:2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.

2) Shows His Adoration For God. He offered to God the very best that he had.

Philippians 3:3 For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.

b. He Brought The Finest of His Lambs.

1) The Lamb Was Pure - Exodus 12:5-6 Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: ye shall take it out from the sheep, or from the goats: And ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month: and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening.

2 Corinthians 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

2) The Lamb Was Precious - 1 Peter 1:19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

1 Peter 2:6-7 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,

3. It Was A Message of Sin – vs. 5-7 (Cain’s offering of works was willful and rejected.)

a. Cain Was Wroth With God – vs. 5 My mind goes to Revelation during the Tribulation Period.

Revelation 16:9 And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which hath power over these plagues: and they repented not to give him glory.

Revelation 16:11 And blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds.

Revelation 16:21 And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, every stone about the weight of a talent: and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great.

b. Cain Was Wooed By God – vs. 6

Romans 2:4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?

b. Cain Was Willful Toward God – vs. 7

Romans 1:32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

2 Peter 3:5 For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:

4. It Was A Message of Suffering – vs. 8 (God’s people are hated by the world just as our Lord was hated.)

a. Cain Deceived Abel – “Cain talked with Abel his brother”

1 John 3:7, 10 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous…In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.

b. Cain Despised Abel – “rose up against Abel his brother”

Matthew 10:36 And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household.

Luke 6:22 Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake.

John 15:18 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.

1 John 3:13 Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.

c. Cain Destroyed Abel – “slew him”

Acts 23:12 And when it was day, certain of the Jews banded together, and bound themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul.

Romans 8:36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.

1 Thessalonians 2:15 Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men:

5. It Was A Message of Sentencing – vs. 9-13 (The reality of rejecting God’s salvation is an eternal one.)

a. The Punishment Was Unerring – vs 9-11

Proverbs 16:11a A just weight and balance are the LORD’S:

Romans 7:12 Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.

2 Thessalonians 1:6 Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you;

Hebrews 10:30a For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord.

Revelation 15:3 And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints.

b. The Punishment Was Unbearable – vs. 12-13

Matthew 13:42 And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

Revelation 14:11 And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.